you?”
“Nothing you can’t handle, chief.”
The sight of his genuine, effortless smile lit up my soul. I knew, without question, I was the reason for his happiness.
“What this look does to me,” I said, touching his cheek.
“So that’s all it takes, huh? A soppy grin after a roll in the sack?”
“Among other things, smart ass.”
He pressed a kiss to my nose and laughed. My God, it was such a wonderful sound. I didn’t want to say anything more. I didn’t want to tarnish this moment with superfluous words that couldn’t possibly explain how I felt.
“You’re so deep in thought, kitten.” His husky tone had me firing on all cylinders once again.
“I just really love seeing you this way. You’re so happy and playful and carefree and…” I struggled to find the right thing to say. “There’s so much to love about you and…I hope you hold onto this feeling whenever you want to withdraw or shut out the world.”
His eyes opened wider and wider the more I spoke. Flustered, I sighed.
“I’m not saying any of this right. That’s why I must have looked so deep in thought. I can’t find the words, I can only lose myself in the feeling.”
Cupping my jaw, he swallowed hard and blew out a shaky sigh. For a split second I was terrified I’d let my mouth run too wild and he’d shrink back into his shell like he always did. To my immense pleasure, he secured his hold around me, resting his forehead to mine.
“I was thinking we could visit your sister tomorrow, seeing as we’re in town. Would you like that?”
I hadn’t seen my sister Dayna in months. I’d love nothing more than to spend some time with her.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Does she already know about our engagement, too?”
“Maybe.”
“Is there anybody in my family that you didn’t tell and then swear to secrecy?”
“No.” He flashed his megawatt smile. “They’re all quite excited for us.”
“You stole my thunder, Holden. That’s a no-no.”
“I’m sure I can find a way to make it up to you.” Desire burned in my throat as he drew nondescript shapes on my stomach and devoured me with dark, molten eyes. “Have I told you how absolutely exquisite you are? I could admire you like this for hours.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. So will those cheeseburgers you promised me.”
“I have a better idea.” He stood up, slipping on some cotton pajama bottoms. “Feel free to join me.”
“Sure thing.” I hopped out of bed and rummaged through the closet for something to wear. As per usual, Alastair had an arsenal of clothes at the ready for both of us. I’d long since given up asking where it all came from. Instead of choosing one of the little silk nighties he liked so much, I opted for one of his button down shirts. There was something indescribably sexy about wearing his clothes. The shirt hung on me like a mini dress. I even had to roll up the sleeves.
I trotted out to the main sitting area and perched on the back of the oversized chair. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
Alastair raked me with his eyes before answering. “Of course.”
“While you were away I was sort of looking through that book shelf in the living room.” I paused, gauging his reaction. As usual, there was none. “Anyway, I found an old journal that belonged to your mom.”
“Did you read it?”
“What? No. I only opened the front cover and saw her name.”
“What do you want to know about it?” Tension clung to each word.
“Nothing. I was just wondering what other keepsakes you had at your house, aside from the old books. Do you have any family photos lying around from when you were little? I could have them fra—”
“Everything is boxed away in Ascot.” His hands were clenched. “I only have those few items with me in Glasgow. It’s more than enough.”
“Oh. Okay.” I decided to cease all discussion of his parents, keenly aware of how agitated he’d become. It frustrated
“Nothing you can’t handle, chief.”
The sight of his genuine, effortless smile lit up my soul. I knew, without question, I was the reason for his happiness.
“What this look does to me,” I said, touching his cheek.
“So that’s all it takes, huh? A soppy grin after a roll in the sack?”
“Among other things, smart ass.”
He pressed a kiss to my nose and laughed. My God, it was such a wonderful sound. I didn’t want to say anything more. I didn’t want to tarnish this moment with superfluous words that couldn’t possibly explain how I felt.
“You’re so deep in thought, kitten.” His husky tone had me firing on all cylinders once again.
“I just really love seeing you this way. You’re so happy and playful and carefree and…” I struggled to find the right thing to say. “There’s so much to love about you and…I hope you hold onto this feeling whenever you want to withdraw or shut out the world.”
His eyes opened wider and wider the more I spoke. Flustered, I sighed.
“I’m not saying any of this right. That’s why I must have looked so deep in thought. I can’t find the words, I can only lose myself in the feeling.”
Cupping my jaw, he swallowed hard and blew out a shaky sigh. For a split second I was terrified I’d let my mouth run too wild and he’d shrink back into his shell like he always did. To my immense pleasure, he secured his hold around me, resting his forehead to mine.
“I was thinking we could visit your sister tomorrow, seeing as we’re in town. Would you like that?”
I hadn’t seen my sister Dayna in months. I’d love nothing more than to spend some time with her.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Does she already know about our engagement, too?”
“Maybe.”
“Is there anybody in my family that you didn’t tell and then swear to secrecy?”
“No.” He flashed his megawatt smile. “They’re all quite excited for us.”
“You stole my thunder, Holden. That’s a no-no.”
“I’m sure I can find a way to make it up to you.” Desire burned in my throat as he drew nondescript shapes on my stomach and devoured me with dark, molten eyes. “Have I told you how absolutely exquisite you are? I could admire you like this for hours.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. So will those cheeseburgers you promised me.”
“I have a better idea.” He stood up, slipping on some cotton pajama bottoms. “Feel free to join me.”
“Sure thing.” I hopped out of bed and rummaged through the closet for something to wear. As per usual, Alastair had an arsenal of clothes at the ready for both of us. I’d long since given up asking where it all came from. Instead of choosing one of the little silk nighties he liked so much, I opted for one of his button down shirts. There was something indescribably sexy about wearing his clothes. The shirt hung on me like a mini dress. I even had to roll up the sleeves.
I trotted out to the main sitting area and perched on the back of the oversized chair. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
Alastair raked me with his eyes before answering. “Of course.”
“While you were away I was sort of looking through that book shelf in the living room.” I paused, gauging his reaction. As usual, there was none. “Anyway, I found an old journal that belonged to your mom.”
“Did you read it?”
“What? No. I only opened the front cover and saw her name.”
“What do you want to know about it?” Tension clung to each word.
“Nothing. I was just wondering what other keepsakes you had at your house, aside from the old books. Do you have any family photos lying around from when you were little? I could have them fra—”
“Everything is boxed away in Ascot.” His hands were clenched. “I only have those few items with me in Glasgow. It’s more than enough.”
“Oh. Okay.” I decided to cease all discussion of his parents, keenly aware of how agitated he’d become. It frustrated
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